Now what?

[Sevierite]

Went down to feed my bottle calf last night only to find him
bloated. Gave him a good dose of mineral oil. This morning
he was up and ready for his milk and I thought all was good
until I looked at his belly. He has very noticeable swelling
from his navel to his testicles.

Could this be a hernia? I called two vets and was informed
to bring him in next week. I guess vets around here dont
work weekends. They said that if he could do his bodily
functions that he would probably be all right till then.

The calf was feeling good this evening for his supper and
drank every drop. What do you guys think?

 

[Alice]

I think your vets are like ours...not too interested in baby calves...especially bottle baby calves.

Have you noticed him peeing? That's what would worry me right now, just by your description.

If those vets are open in the morning, load the calf up real early and take him to one or the other...and if one refuses go to the other and tell him/her/it that the first refused to see you.

And, while you are standing in the office talking to the little receptionist, make sure everyone in there hears that the vet is refusing to see you, or that vet number 1 refused to see you.

Can ya' tell that this kind of stuff really honks me off. Yeah, there may not be a dang thing wrong with your calf, but then again there may.

Alice

 

[Sevierite]

I did it, Alice. I called first, though. I took him to our
No. 1 vet to find out it was not a hernia at all. The calf
has a major infection in that area. I've no idea what
caused it, but now I'm relieved that something is being
done to help. (The vet squeezed him in between the dogs
and cats.)

Being nearly two months old, I would have thought that
a naval infection would not be a factor. I still don't know
what caused him to bloat earlier. Oh well....he's getting
treatment now and I feel better about that.

 

[Alice]

I did it, Alice. I called first, though. I took him to our
No. 1 vet to find out it was not a hernia at all. The calf
has a major infection in that area. I've no idea what
caused it, but now I'm relieved that something is being
done to help. (The vet squeezed him in between the dogs
and cats.)

Being nearly two months old, I would have thought that
a naval infection would not be a factor. I still don't know
what caused him to bloat earlier. Oh well....he's getting
treatment now and I feel better about that.

It may not have been gassy type bloat...it may have been a result of the infection. I dunno...and don't presume to. I am glad, however, that you made the vet look at the calf and do something for it.

Keep some grassy type hay out for the calf to munch on, just in case it was gassy type bloat, and be sure to give the calf probios every day especially since he's being treated...

Ya' done good!

Alice